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The idea that as athletes we are “mentally tough” and that when it comes to our personal lives we should “leave it off the field” is an incredibly frustrating message received by college athletes.

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When I don’t want to get out of bed I think about how much I would be hurting them and myself, and you don’t do that to family. You don’t screw them over; you work hard for them and with them to become the best you can, together.

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Listen, we are fragile. We are finished playing the sport we love, so we don’t know what to do with ourselves. Be patient.

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We don’t really know how to dress for dates—do we rock the t-shirt and jeans (that’s basically dressing up since all we wear is sweats), or do we go all out since we always look like we’re headed to the gym?!! Unanswered questions.

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4. They were just as, if not more, clever than normal students are about getting into college.